Great White Shark vs Red Drum
Carcharodon carcharias compared with Sciaenops ocellatus
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Great White Shark | Red Drum |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Carcharodon carcharias | Sciaenops ocellatus |
| Order | Lamniformes | Perciformes |
| Family | Lamnidae | Sciaenidae |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Great White Shark | Red Drum |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 600.0 cm | 155.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 1905.0 kg | 45.0 kg |
| Color | Classic countershaded coloration: slate-gray to charcoal-brown dorsal surface with a sharply defined boundary to a pure white ventral surface; pectoral fin tips dusky to black. | Coppery-bronze to reddish-orange flanks with a characteristic black eyespot at the upper tail base; back is darker bronze-olive; belly pale to silvery; fins match body tone with dusky margins. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Great White Shark | Red Drum |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Saltwater | Freshwater & Saltwater |
| Depth Range | 0-1280m | 10-?m |
| Geographic Range | Cosmopolitan in cool to warm coastal and offshore waters of all major oceans. Key aggregation sites include South Africa, California, South Australia, and New Zealand. … | Western North Atlantic from Massachusetts south through the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. Adults favor open nearshore reefs and coastal surf zones while juveniles inhabit … |
| Habitat | Neritic, estuaries | Estuaries |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Great White Shark | Red Drum |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | Yes | Yes |
| Fight Rating | — | 7/10 |
| World Record | — | — |
| Mercury Level | — | — |
Cuisine & Edibility
Great White Shark
Edible but rarely consumed; flesh requires careful handling to remove ammonia. Consumption is strongly discouraged — this species is Vulnerable and protected in many jurisdictions.
Red Drum
Firm, white flesh with a mild, sweet flavor and moderate fat; smaller fish (under 27 inches) are the best table size. Famous as 'blackened redfish' — a Louisiana Cajun culinary classic.
Species Overview
Great White Shark
The great white shark is the world's largest predatory fish. Found in coastal surface waters of all major oceans, it can detect a single drop of blood in 100 liters of water. Despite its fearsome reputation, attacks on humans are rare.
Red Drum
The red drum, or redfish, is an iconic inshore game fish of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Identified by the distinctive black spot at the base of its tail, it feeds by tipping head-down in shallow water, exposing its copper-colored tail.